Gerrard's Playful FA Criticism Resurfaces
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard once demanded the Football Association and England coaches should face financial penalties in a remarkable social media outburst. The tongue-in-cheek comment came in November 2024 after Curtis Jones marked his England debut with a spectacular goal against Greece.
The former Rangers manager took to his Instagram story to celebrate Jones' impressive performance, writing "What a player" before adding the punchline: "Fine the FA and all the coaches for being late." Gerrard's humorous criticism suggested English football's governing body had waited too long to recognise the Liverpool midfielder's talents.
Jones' England Journey Takes Unexpected Turn
Fast forward to the current international break in November 2025, and England manager Thomas Tuchel has inadvertently responded to Gerrard's demands in the most unexpected way. Despite initially selecting Jones for his first squad after taking charge, Tuchel has now omitted the 24-year-old from his last three England camps.
This exclusion comes despite Jones maintaining his place in Arne Slot's Liverpool side throughout the current season. The midfielder has featured in every available match for the reigning champions, delivering several composed performances even as Liverpool struggled in the Premier League, including their recent 3-0 defeat against Manchester City.
Jones currently boasts six senior England caps and made a memorable debut under then interim-manager Lee Carsley, who described him as "an outstanding player" after his goal against Greece. Carsley praised Jones' overall performance, noting he played "really well, even without his goal" during that November 2024 fixture.
Gerrard's Lasting Influence on Liverpool Protege
The special connection between Gerrard and Jones dates back to the Liverpool icon's time coaching the club's under-18s side. Jones has frequently acknowledged Gerrard's transformative impact on his career development during this formative period.
In a revealing interview, Jones recalled a pivotal moment when Gerrard delivered some "harsh truths" that changed his approach forever. "I'll never forget the time," Jones explained, "he got the whole team in on a one-to-one and he'd been speaking about the things you did well and what you needed to improve."
The current Liverpool star described a particular incident after a defeat to Fulham where Gerrard challenged his response to an opponent's provocation. "He turned around to me and said, 'What did you do about it?!' I said, 'I can't remember', and he said, 'Well, I'll tell you, you did nothing!'" Jones acknowledged this confrontation made him realise he needed to "grow up and be a man" at his boyhood club.
Despite winning two Premier League titles with Liverpool and making an immediate impact during his England debut, Jones finds himself out of international contention as England prepare for World Cup qualifying matches against Serbia and Albania.
